"But... what about your asthma."
"Don't worry."
"But don't force yourself."
"I won't."
I took a fighting stance while Patchouli closed her book, placed it on the desk, and ascended with magic circles swirling around her.
As the magic circles materialized a diverse array of swords, each infused with elemental power, Patchouli's control over them was mesmerizing.
The swords danced through the air, their elements crackling and swirling with energy.
Fire, water, ice, earth, sun, thunder, dark, light - they all coalesced into a symphony of elemental might.
Patchouli's voice echoed in the room, "Have you seen this type of magic before?"
I watched in awe as she manipulated the swords like puppets, guiding them toward me with precision and skill. It was a mesmerizing display of magical mastery.
I took a deep breath, "No, Lady Patchouli, I haven't. But I'm here to face it."
But I would always expect her to be strong at magics.
Patchouli's elemental swords danced through the air with graceful precision.
As I tried to fend off her attacks, the fire sword grew even hotter, forcing me to retreat quickly.
But the water sword and thunder sword had a surprise in store for me. When they clashed, a violent electrical surge coursed through the water, shocking me painfully.
"Aargh!" I staggered back, my body tingling from the unexpected jolt.
I need to get closer but her magic swords are too pain in the ass.
Then, my mind hit me.
I decided to take a calculated risk.
I dashed forward, drawing the attention of her swords, They came at me relentlessly.
As I got closer to Patchouli, I couldn't believe my luck when another fire sword materialized right in front of me.
It was almost as if Patchouli was helping me.
I seized the opportunity, using my proximity to lead the water sword toward the fire sword.
My plan was to try luring the water sword to the fire sword so that once they clashed with each other, It would create a smoke, and once the smoke was made.
Patchouli's asthma would be triggered due to her poor health.
The water sword got closer, and I managed to guide it right into the path of the fire sword. The collision created a burst of steam and smoke, obscuring our vision.
But I couldn't afford to wait. I had to move quickly before Patchouli figured out my intention.
The smoke was now billowing around us, making it hard for her to breathe. She gasped and coughed, clearly struggling with her asthma.
It's cruel but I'm sorry!
With the thick smoke enveloping us, I seized the moment, realizing I couldn't afford to wait any longer.
I slashed through the silhouette assuming it to be Patchouli within the dense smoke. "I win!"
As the smoke dissipated, my eyes widened in shock. Koakuma had blocked my slash with her magic, revealing my hasty assumption that things would proceed smoothly.
"Koakuma!?"
"Heh! Don't underestimate me! I am Lady Patchouli's familiar after all!"
"Urgk!"
"I see, so that was your plan. It was a good plan, but..."
Before I could react, Patchouli conjured a spell, forming a high-density heat orb combining fire and metal, and hurled it toward me.
I attempted to block it, but the orb transformed into a blazing pillar of fire that sent me crashing to the ground with a burn.
"Argh!" I cried out in pain as I hit the ground.
"L-Lady Patchouli! What about the books?" Koakuma asked, concerned.
Patchouli replied, "They are safe. I've made sure of that."
My body surged with determination as I sprang to my feet, locking my gaze on the two.
"Did I hear that right?"
"Hm? Yes? Why?"
"Then..." I grinned as my crimson sword burst into flames.
Patchouli's eyes widened in surprise and perhaps a hint of recognition as the fiery transformation of my blade illuminated the entire area.
"Why does it look like Remi's flames?" she mused, her curiosity tinged with uncertainty.
"Hehe... Let's do this again."
I was holding back so I won't burn any of the books but.
With my crimson sword ablaze and the fiery barrage unleashed, I charged forward.
However, Patchouli and Koakuma were quick to respond, creating a protective barrier that deflected my fiery projectiles.
"Projectiles like those bullets... Is nothing to my barrier," Patchouli confidently asserted.
I leaped toward them and activated my crimson stopwatch.
(Lunar Clock: "Perfect Crimson Mist")
A dense, crimson mist materialized around us, shrouding the battlefield in an eerie glow. Inside this mist, a multitude of gleaming knives manifested, their blades poised menacingly.
Patchouli seemed surprised by this development, muttering to herself, "What's with the mist? I didn't know Shun had this strength... I thought he was just a normal human."
Koakuma inquired anxiously, "Lady Patchouli, what's wrong?"
Patchouli, determined but conflicted, replied, "Koakuma, focus on Shun. I want to try something."
"You mean, you're going to use that?!"
"Yes."
"But... What about your—"
"It's fine."
She looked at her with concern but nodded, reluctantly agreeing to support Patchouli, and they both readied themselves.
As I watched them, a twinge of guilt gnawed at me.
I couldn't help but feel like I was becoming the antagonist in their eyes. Nevertheless, I steeled my resolve and continued with my assault.
The crimson mist dissipated, revealing the gleaming knives within. They darted forward, aimed at Patchouli and Koakuma.
However, before they could reach their targets, Patchouli's hands emitted a brilliant light, and she raised them high.
(Fire Water Wood Metal Earth Sign: "The Last Philosopher's Stone")
Patchouli harnessed the elements in an intricate spell. The library erupted with magical circles as enormous crystals formed, each representing one of the elemental forces: fire, water, wood, metal, and earth.
Gripping both my blades tightly, I took a resolute stance, ready to seize this fleeting opportunity. There was no second chance; I had to make this count.
(Blood Sword: "Crimson Divine Spear Blade")
My silver blade and crimson sword radiated a blinding white and fiery red light.
Without a moment's hesitation, I hurled them towards Patchouli and Koakuma. The blades cut through the crystal formations, shattering them like fragile glass, and continued to pierce through their protective barrier.
No words were exchanged; the battle had escalated to a point where actions spoke louder than any dialogue.
The library lay in ruins, a testament to the fierce battle that had raged within its walls.
As the last remnants of the crystal barriers disappeared, Koakuma carefully carried Patchouli to a chair.
"She's fine... right?"
"She will, Don't underestimate Lady Patchouli's magic."
"Thank goodness."
But her demeanor quickly shifted, and she seemed to be wrestling with something. "I don't want to owe you, p-plus it's Lady Patchouli's orders..." She hesitated, avoiding my gaze.
"Lady Remilia is on top of the roof... you can get there by entering the rooftop but of course, Lady Sakuya is guarding it and she's waiting for you."
"What about the butler?"
Her body suddenly straightened, "E-Erm... about that."
I waited for her to continue, a sense of foreboding creeping over me but I decided to let it go.
"Alright... I'll be back. Please take care of Lady Patchouli while I'm gone."
With that, I turned and made my way back into the hallway and headed my way to the rooftop.